Shocking Paris: Soutine, Chagall and the Outsiders of Montparnasse
by Stanley Meisler
The School of Paris (2/27/2015)
I have an advantage in reading this book as I am familiar with the places in Paris that are part of this exposition of a very special time in Art History. I have seen the art from this era in the Orangerie in Paris, and in the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia, and have loved it without knowing much about the artists. What this book did for me was to add depth and a dimension to my understanding of a turbulent time in both art and history. I haven't found this anywhere else. It made a difference in how I view Mogliani (died tragically young), Soutine (an amazing painter with a chaotic personal life), and Chagall (not one of my favorites-now looking at his work again).
Bitter Greens
by Kate Forsyth
"Bitter Greens", history and magic well combined (9/6/2014)
Kate Forsyth has taken a puzzle from the world of fairy tale authors and written an intriguing novel, which combines the world of courtly life in 17th century France with one of my favorite fairy tales.
She tells three stories, braiding them together one strand at a time so accurately that you always know where you are, but not necessarily where you are going. The conclusion is a tour de force, with all explained very satisfactorily. It's a book I couldn't put down once I started reading (and it's a good thing I was on a long flight, I finished just as we landed). I recommend this book highly.
How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto
by Eric Asimov
Helpful tour through a life in wine (1/2/2013)
I have always been a little put off by the emphasis on the all-knowing wine critics, unable to taste some of the flavors they emphasized (tobacco), not always understanding why a wine was rated above 90, but knowing what I liked. This book, besides describing how Eric Asimov learned to know and love wine (the most interesting part of the book for me), gave me a path and a validation for my tasting of wine, a much appreciated push in the right direction.
